[pantomek]

Hello, I bought a 2013 Outback Limited a month ago, and I am loving it. The car is great, and I've learned quite a bit by lurking on this forum for a few weeks.

I am wondering about removing the rearview mirror -- I find that it obscures too much of the front window. I haven't had any close calls, but I find it necessary to crane my neck up and down to look around the mirror at 4-way stops, etc.

Has anyone had a similar experience, or is it just me? I drove a truck the last 12 years, don't really use that mirror (rely a lot on side mirrors instead), and don't want my front view obscured. Any issues with removing the mirror that I should be aware of? Even mounting it higher would help...

Thanks,

tom.

 

[pantomek]

I was able to find a bunch of similar messages on the WRX forums. Nice to see I'm not alone. Pushing the mirror as high as it goes helps a bit. Having a longer swivel (the tube that fits onto the ball that's on the windshield) would let me move it even further up and out of view.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy that particular arm in a longer length? Thanks,

tom.

 

[cardoc]

I know what you mean. The electronics in the mirror make it bulky and it sits too low and it can't be moved up enough to clear site through the middle of the windshield. Drives me buggy. I have a regular mirror, tilted up all the way to the headliner.

I don't know of any additional parts that would allow for moving it up. You could take the OE mirror out all together and install a Plain Jane mirror from an earlier model without the electronic features. Or, remove the windshield base and reposition it higher up.

 

[OBnube]

Call a widshield repair company. They have to remove and reseat mirrors all the time.

 

[AO River]

This pdf for installing the mirror may help (perform steps in reverse to remove...)
http://subaruonlineparts.com/pdf/H501SAJ000.pdf

 

[jogosub]

Call a widshield repair company. They have to remove and reseat mirrors all the time.

Don't do it! I have done it (indirectly) and the rear view mirror kept falling off my 2005 Forester. The "windshield" company had to move it off center because it would not stick to the original place on windshield!

 

[OBnube]

Don't do it! I have done it (indirectly) and the rear view mirror kept falling off my 2005 Forester. The "windshield" company had to move it off center because it would not stick to the original place on windshield!

You are preaching to the chior. I'm sure I will be pounded for this but, In my experience I've never seen a factory mirror fall off from defective attachment---the same cannot be said for a replacement/reglue. I would not remove a mirror unless the windshield fell out.

 

[jogosub]

Well - there is always the first one for you OBnube.. but - to clarify, here you go!

I had the front windshield on my 05 Forester replaced twice (free of charge in FL)...
The replacements (assuming OEM) rear view mirrors kept falling off... there you have it.

Welcome to the club of sceptics like my issue with Weathertech window deflectors...that kept falling off.... LOL

 

[AO River]

^ I think OBnube meant that he's never seen a factory-installed mirror fall off; however for mirror replacement (OEM or aftermarket) the installation quality is not up to snuff.

 

[jogosub]

^ I think OBnube meant that he's never seen a factory-installed mirror fall off; however for mirror replacement (OEM or aftermarket) the installation quality is not up to snuff.

I guess - that's what he meant... you are right! Thus my clarification...that is why I said: Don't do it!

 

[jogosub]

The OEM replacements came with pre-glued brackets... just to clarify!

 

[pantomek]

Thank you, everyone. My wife doesn't want me to remove the mirror, but since we don't really need any of the electronics I'll look for another mirror I can mount onto the same bracket. I was not planning on removing the bracket itself, don't want to risk damaging the windshield. I'll post an update when I got one. Thanks!

tom.